I'll to the queen: please you, come something nearer. Gaol. Madam, if 't please the queen to send the babe, I know not what I shall incur to pass it, Paul. You need not fear it, sir : This child was prisoner to the womb, and is By law and process of great nature thence Freed and enfranchised; not a party to The anger of the king, nor guilty of, If any be, the trespass of the queen. Gaol. I do believe it. Paul. Do not you fear: upon mine hon our, I Will stand betwixt you and danger. [exeunt. SCENE III. A room in LEONTES' palace. Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, Lords, and Leon. Nor night nor day no rest: it is but weakness To bear the matter thus; mere weakness. If The cause were not in being,-part o' the cause, She the adulteress; for the harlot king Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank And level of my brain, plot-proof; but she I can hook to me: say that she were gone, Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest Might come to me again. First Serv. Who's there! Leon. How does the boy? First Serv. My lord? He took good rest to-night; 'Tis hoped his sickness is discharged. Leon. To see his nobleness! Conceiving the dishonour of his mother, Hestraight declined, droop'd, took it deeply, Fasten'd and fix'd the shame on 't in himself, Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep, And downright languish'd. Leave me solely: go, See how he fares. [exit Serv.] Fie, fie! no thought of him: The very thought of my revenges that way geance, Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes Laugh at me, make their pastime at my sorrow: They should not laugh if I could reach them, nor. Shall she within my power. Enter PAULINA, with a child. First Lord. You must not enter. Paul. Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me: Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, Than the queen's life? a gracious innocent soul, More free than he is jealous. Ant. That's enough. Sec. Serv. Madam, he hath not slept to night; commanded None should come at him. Paul. Not so hot, good sir: I come to bring him sleep. "Tis such as you, That creep like shadows by him, and do sigh At each his needless heavings, such as you Nourish the cause of his awaking: I Do come with words as medicinal as true, Honest as either, to purge him of that humour That presses him from sleep. Leon. What noise there, ho? Paul. No noise, my lord; but needful conference About some gossips for your highness. Leon. How! Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus, I charged thee that she should not come about me: I knew she would. Ant. I told her so, my lord, On your displeasure's peril and on mine, Leon. What, canst not rule her? Paul. From all dishonesty he can : in this, Unless he take the course that you have done, Commit me for committing honour, trust it, He shall not rule me. Ant. La you now, you hear: When she will take the rein I let her run; But she'll not stumble. Paul. Good my liege, I come; And, I beseech you, hear me, who professes Myself your loyal servant, your physician, Your most obedient counsellor, yet that dares Less appear so in comforting your evils, Than such as most seem yours: I say, I come From your good queen. Leon. Paul. my lord, Good queen; I say good queen; And would by combat make her good, so First hand me: on mine own accord I'll off; But first I'll do my errand. The good queen, For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter; Here 'tis ; commends it to your blessing. [Laying down the child. Leon. Out! |